CDM 2015: Introduction to the role of the principal designer – Birmingham/London, 26 January/2 February 2016

Dates and locations

Event overview

This event provides an introduction to this new role and is aimed at designers, clients, contractors and/or individuals who may take on, or want to understand the PD function, particularly for small to medium size projects. The course will be delivered by an ex-HSE Principal Construction Inspector with almost 40 years’ experience.

It will include:

An introduction and overview to CDM 2015 and the duties of the Principal Designer

The role of the construction client

The Principal Designer’s role in supporting the client

Obtaining and using pre-construction information

Appointment of designers and contractors

The Principal Designer’s role in ensuring designers comply with their duties

Exploring through case study discussion the key health and safety risks construction workers can face during construction and maintenance

Coordinating the flow of health and safety information

The role of the Principal Contractor and liaison with the PD

Preparing the health and safety file

By the end of the course, delegates will:

Understand the changes introduced by CDM 2015, the policy objectives behind them, and how the Regulations enable proportionate compliance dependent on project complexity

Know the role and duties of the Client, Principal Designer, designers, Principal Contractor, and contractors and the relationships and interfaces with the Principal Designer

Know the key health and safety risks faced by construction workers and those maintaining a structure

Understand the importance of pre-construction information, its limitations and the need for interpretation and further investigation in some circumstances

Understand the importance of achieving the effective communication of and use of design information

Understand how effective management, coordination and monitoring during the pre-construction phase can help to eliminate or reduce risks during the construction and life of the structure

As PDs, be better placed to make decisions on the relevancy of pre-construction and design information they should provide to PCs for construction phase health safety plans, and relevant information for health and safety file

Who should attend?

This training is aimed at individuals and employees of organisations who meet the definition of designer and could be appointed as PD to be in control of the pre-construction phase of a project, and those who want to understand the duties of a Principal Designer as defined in CDM 2015.

This course is intended to provide an introduction and overview only to this new role and help delegates understand the actions that need to be taken to discharge the Principal Designer’s duties. It is not aimed at those involved in major projects or designed to establish or evaluate competence.